Head to Head: Mercedes-Benz SLS Black Series tested against the Dodge Viper in the 1/4 mile and around the track

Head to Head: Mercedes-Benz SLS Black Series tested against the Dodge Viper in the 1/4 mile and around the track

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Head to Head: Mercedes-Benz SLS Black Series tested against the Dodge Viper in the 1/4 mile and around the track

The Viper goes about its business a bit differently. It is more brute force than sophistication. No fancy dual clutch gearbox, no high revving V8, instead a big 8.4 liter V10 with 640 horsepower mated to a classic manual gearbox. The interior lacks the sophistication of the SLS AMG but it also lacks the sticker shock of the SLS Black Series undercutting it by almost $200k. You could have two Vipers and quite a bit of spare change for the price of the SLS AMG Black Series.

That said, these are performance cars so what are the numbers? Acceleration figures are in the favor of the SLS AMG Black Series. The Viper manages 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 11.5@128.7. It's fast. The SLS AMG is faster with 0-60 in 3.2 seconds and the 1/4 mile coming in 11.1@129.8. Impressive, unless one is about $ per performance which in which case these are two cars they are not cross shopping.

MotorTrend gets the weight wrong it's basically a wash. They quote the SLS Black Series at 37XX whereas Mercedes-Benz lists it at 3417. A mistake, but one MotorTrend should not be making.

What about around the track? The Viper's Laguna Seca laptime is a very nice 1:36.42. It is said to not be as planted as the SLS AMG which manages a 1:35.03. That's a pretty large difference and the Black Series better be quicker around the track for what Mercedes-Benz is charging. It's a phenomenal car. Both of these cars are.

The Viper goes about its business a bit differently. It is more brute force than sophistication. No fancy dual clutch gearbox, no high revving V8, instead a big 8.4 liter V10 with 640 horsepower mated to a classic manual gearbox. The interior lacks the sophistication of the SLS AMG but it also lacks the sticker shock of the SLS Black Series undercutting it by almost $200k. You could have two Vipers and quite a bit of spare change for the price of the SLS AMG Black Series.

That said, these are performance cars so what are the numbers? Acceleration figures are in the favor of the SLS AMG Black Series. The Viper manages 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 11.5@128.7. It's fast. The SLS AMG is faster with 0-60 in 3.2 seconds and the 1/4 mile coming in 11.1@129.8. Impressive, unless one is about $ per performance which in which case these are two cars they are not cross shopping.

MotorTrend gets the weight wrong it's basically a wash. They quote the SLS Black Series at 37XX whereas Mercedes-Benz lists it at 3417. A mistake, but one MotorTrend should not be making.

What about around the track? The Viper's Laguna Seca laptime is a very nice 1:36.42. It is said to not be as planted as the SLS AMG which manages a 1:35.03. That's a pretty large difference and the Black Series better be quicker around the track for what Mercedes-Benz is charging. It's a phenomenal car. Both of these cars are.

I like Mercedes-Benz but this motor trend comparison is a little off. The Viper TA runs that track at 133.62. I think it would have been a better comparison the SLS Black Vs. Viper TA to be honest. But the comments under the video very well show that.

Also as much as I loved shifting gears as a kid. My knees don't work as well as they used to, so DCT will be my next choice for a gearbox in a sports car.

I don't doubt it but these guys aren't the best at drag racing. Although in the direct comparison the Viper does get beat and it should. Dual clutch + similar weight, I'd give the SLS the edge just like what you see happen.

Originally Posted by onisyndicate

I think it would have been a better comparison the SLS Black Vs. Viper TA to be honest. But the comments under the video very well show that.

I don't doubt it but these guys aren't the best at drag racing. Although in the direct comparison the Viper does get beat and it should. Dual clutch + similar weight, I'd give the SLS the edge just like what you see happen.

Pretty sure he meant at Laguna Seca...randy pobst ran a 1:33 in the updated TA viper, beating the ZR1 which it lost to when they compared the non TA viper vs ZR1. Believe the viper set the production car record there

Pretty sure he meant at Laguna Seca...randy pobst ran a 1:33 in the updated TA viper, beating the ZR1 which it lost to when they compared the non TA viper vs ZR1. Believe the viper set the production car record there

Pretty sure he meant at Laguna Seca...randy pobst ran a 1:33 in the updated TA viper, beating the ZR1 which it lost to when they compared the non TA viper vs ZR1. Believe the viper set the production car record there

The Viper on the track and the ACR in particular definitely is impressive. As is the SLS. The Viper offers a hell of a lot for the dollar.

Why would anyone want the SLS for that price? If you've got $300k you can spend another 100k and get the Aventador and have a better looking, much nicer and MUCH faster car. Not to mention the aftermarket for the lambo is going to be crazy compared to the benz.

Why would anyone want the SLS for that price? If you've got $300k you can spend another 100k and get the Aventador and have a better looking, much nicer and MUCH faster car. Not to mention the aftermarket for the lambo is going to be crazy compared to the benz.

First of all the SLS aftermarket is more lively than the Aventador aftermarket. Secondly, $100k still is a lot of money. And finally, somebody may want an SLS Black Series instead.

I would take the SLS BS over the Aventador any day. I'd also be willing to bet the SLS BS would be faster on a road course than the Lambo. I haven't driven one, but I've heard they don't handle too well.